“She’ll come here and Alenathos will fall under her spell, allying with her once again,” Kellan pointed out.
Isa laughed. “Nope. He’s bound to me. And I have no problem letting the dragon get some payback.”
“Wait, what? Alenathos is bound to you?”
She nodded. “Mmhmm, he is. At his request.”
“Why?”
Isa shuddered. “He helped us take Remus and Henroyld down, in exchange for freedom from Saressa. And no, I don’t use him the way your mother did. He’s not touching me with a ten foot pole.”
Kellan laughed. “Good. I hope you know not to trust him.”
“Not completely. She did send him to kill me. When he realized he was free from her influence on this side of the veil, he stopped.”
He turned to Endiscott. “You sure your bond is broken?”
“Very. It was a sick obsession. As much as I hated her, I needed her. There were days I wanted to go back just to stop feeling the hunger. I fought it with everything I had and stayed here, as far from her as I could get.”
“And now the craving is gone?” Kellan rolled his eyes.
Isa glared at Kellan. “I made it impossible for him to be bound the same way. A true bond can form, but I prevented anyone else from forcing one.”
“How?”
Isa blushed. “Magic. That’s all you need to know.”
Jayde snapped at Kellan, “Leave it alone.”
He shot to his feet to pace. “You sure Isadora didn’t bind Endiscott to her?”
Isa shook her head, stepping into Kellan’s path. Wind whipped through the room as her eyes glowed an eerie silver. “The whole point of breaking Saressa’s bond was to free him. I don’t want Scotty bound to me. I wouldn’t have bound Alenathos to me if he wasn’t convinced it was the only way to free him from Saressa. My bond to Toryn is purely natural. I don’t want another.”
His eyes narrowed, but a hint of smile lifted his lips. “So you fucked Endiscott.”
“Yeah. Happy? Toryn was there with us. It’s not like I went behind his back. And we agreed to save him. Scotty would have died if he’d gone another day without sex. And he wouldn’t have done that if I hadn’t found a solution to permanently free him.”
* * * *
Kellan saw the doubt in Jayde’s eyes and felt like an ass, but he didn’t understand how this didn’t affect Jayde. “You could have easily bound him to you.”
His gaze swept back to Isa right before his head was rocked back as her fist connected with his nose. The crunch made him shudder.
Isa growled, “Fuck you. I wanted to like you, give you the benefit of the doubt—that ship has sailed. If you’re going to spew shit and try to turn us against each other, you can run back to mommy.”
Rubbing the back of his hand across his bloody face, his brow arched. “You’d do anything for your friends, wouldn’t you?”
“If it’s in my power, yes,” she spat.
His shoulders slumped. “What did you get out of it?”
“Out of what? Helping Scotty?”
He nodded, thinking that was pretty damned obvious.
The air around her heated up as her eyes grew pale silver, shining bright. “Knowing my friend could finally find happiness without being plagued by twisted emotions induced by a fucked up spell.”
“You gained nothing though.”
“It’s not about gaining!” she screamed. “It’s about helping someone I care for. Are you that big of a dick you can’t see that? You wouldn’t do anything in your power to help Jayde?”
He sank onto the seat. “Apparently not. It’s obvious she loves Endiscott, but what I feel—regardless of whether or not she shares that emotion—overrides all thought. I don’t get how this doesn’t affect her. I’m sorry.”
Jayde stood across the room, a frown on her face as she stared at him. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
Preston handed him a rag. “Here. Try to keep quiet, dude. You aren’t helping yourself by starting shit.”
“Thanks,” he huffed, pressing the cloth to his face and wincing. Maybe pain would keep him focused and less prone to running his mouth.
“You okay, Princess?” Toryn asked.
Isa snorted, her gaze flashing to Kellan. “As long as he stops trying to make everyone into the enemy, fine.”
With a dubious look in Kellan’s direction, Toryn shrugged. “Remember his parents. He was probably raised to put Saressa first, then himself. He learned to ignore his mother’s wishes. Maybe he can start looking at the bigger picture now.”
“Don’t defend him,” Isa sneered. “I tried that. Look where he went with it.” She leaned in to whisper something in his ear.
Toryn’s gaze moved to the mage as he nodded slowly. “Probably best he doesn’t know.”
Kellan bit his tongue. If he was going to gain their trust he needed to cool it.
Preston shook his head, his eyes closing. He didn’t offer his opinion though. “We can worry about that later.”
Endiscott gave Kellan a long look. “You’re no more innocent than the rest of us. You kept secrets from Jayde. Now you’re baiting everyone. You want our trust but you’re going to have to prove you deserve it. I mean, I get why you’d be an ass to me. But Isa has done nothing wrong. Next thing you know, you’ll be going after Toryn. Trust me, don’t do that, he’d hand you your ass if Isa doesn’t beat him to it.”
Toryn chuckled. “Scotty’s got a point.”
He noticed Jayde flinch slightly each time someone called Endiscott Scotty.
“Truce?” Setting the bloodied towel in his lap, Kellan held up his hands. “I truly don’t want my mother going after Jayde, or anyone else. I’d prefer to help rather than be a hindrance, so tell me to shut the fuck up next time I get going.”
“Sounds good to me,” Preston offered.
Everyone made some kind of affirmative.
Kellan continued, “So this party? What are you planning?”
Chapter 25
After they scheduled the party and discussed details, Jayde looked up at Endiscott with a sad smile. “Give me a minute. I’m coming with you, but I need to talk to Kellan privately.”
He nodded, his mouth a tight line. Not a word was offered. She turned and grabbed Kellan’s upper arm, dragging him out of the room.
Such sadness in his green eyes. His face black and blue, his nose definitely busted. And still, she was pissed. “What got into you?”
His eyes closed. “Defeat. Apparently, I’m a sore loser.”
“We’re friends.”
“And him?”
“That’s complicated. I don’t know what to think. Can we leave it at that? I need to talk to him. Maybe figure out everything.”
“If he hurts you again, I won’t stand by and watch.”
She laughed softly. “Fair enough.”
“Be careful, Jayde. I don’t want to see you hurt. Though I’d enjoy knocking him around if he does. Then pick you up and give you everything you deserve.”
“You’ll find someone you love better than me. Someone you were meant for.”
She reached for his face to heal his nose but he grabbed her hand. “Don’t. I don’t want you to suffer for my stupidity. Let’s face it, I was a complete ass, but someone had to ask the question.”
She snorted. “You didn’t ask. You accused. Serves you right.”
“You weren’t wondering?”
“I trust Toryn, and he trusts them both.”
“But you don’t?”
She sighed heavily. “Most of me trusts Endiscott. I don’t know Isa. Though I’m impressed. She put you in your place.”
“I regret that. Not her reaction, but severing that tie before I got to know my family.”
“Change your tune and she might be swayed back to your side. However, women don’t like being called manipulative sluts.”
“I didn’t—”
She jabbed him in the chest. “You did, not in those words, but yeah, tha
t’s how it sounded.”
“Grreeeaaat. One more thing for me to attempt to fix.”
“You can do it. Now, I’m going back in there. Behave.”
“Easier said than done,” he muttered, but followed as she stepped back inside.
Endiscott stood at the table inspecting his nails. Wondering what was going through his head, she drew in a breath. “You ready to go?”
He nodded. “If you are.” Looking toward Kellan, he asked, “Need a ride?”
“Nah. I’ll walk.”
Preston sighed as Kellan left the room. He turned to Toryn. “You really think it’s a wise idea to keep his half-sister from him? He shares Dacia’s father and I truly don’t want to keep secrets from her. Not of this nature.”
Toryn pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know.”
Jayde sighed. “Give him some time before you introduce him. He’s had a lot of change recently.”
“Been there,” Isa said. “Speaking of Mike, I imagine he’ll be at the party. He’s one of the new enforcers for the Silver Council.”
Preston’s brow arched. “Really? Mike?”
She shrugged. “Yeah. Mike and Gwen are doing great. He’s found the one he was meant for.”
Jayde relaxed slightly. “It’s not weird now?”
She shook her head. “Not any more. Kellan just needs time.”
“You aren’t still mad at him?”
Her brow wrinkled. “As long as he can keep his head out of his ass, I think we can get past it. It was a legitimate question, even if it pissed me off.”
She laughed. “That’s putting it mildly. You broke his nose.”
Isa winced. “Got him to stop being a dick. And I imagine he can heal himself. He’s not going to be in pain long.”
Jayde nodded. “Well, Toryn has my number. If you need me for anything, call. I’ll be happy to help anyway I can.”
“Thank you. You two go. Seems you have a few things to talk about.” Isa smiled. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
Jayde wasn’t a hundred percent sure she could claim that. She was curious, but if she and Endiscott didn’t work, she had every intention of going as far away from him as possible.
* * * *
Scotty climbed into the driver’s side as Jayde buckled her belt. He looked over and his heart began to race. “We need to talk. Where would you feel most comfortable?”
She shrugged. “I’m assuming you’ve been in the city too long. You’ve got that itchy twitchy thing going when you need to get outside.”
He couldn’t resist an amused smile. “Itchy twitchy?”
“Hmm, yeah, that’s about right. Where you can’t quite hold still, but as soon as you get into the woods, you unwind.”
“Does that mean you want to come to my cabin? It’s not too far out of the city.”
She chewed her lip. “Would you take me to get my motorcycle? I’ll follow you.”
His nostrils flared, but he nodded. “Of course. You’ll have to tell me where I’m going.”
“I can’t swear I’ll stay. It’s important I have an easy way to escape if it winds up being too much. I don’t want you to feel obligated out of some misguided idea that we were once good together.”
“The only reason I ever stayed away was to protect you, Jayde. I thought it was the right decision at the time.”
“It wasn’t. At least not once we were both on Earth.”
“I was afraid if she came here, while I was still bound to her, I would hurt you worse when I couldn’t resist whatever she commanded.” He’d learned early on that Saressa could slip into his mind and force him to do things he despised. If she could touch him, he was hers to command. He shoved those memories away.
She didn’t have a response. Instead, she rattled off her address and Scotty started for her place.
After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, Jayde asked, “Why do you go by Scotty now?”
He glanced over, finding her brows drawn together, clearly upset. Unable to stop himself, he reached over to take her hand. “Never heard of a human named Endiscott. Needed a name that fit in. The only thing I could think of was the way you said ‘Scotty’ when I took your breath away. Recalling the happiness in your eyes was the one reminder I had that there were better times in my life.”
Turning away, she wiped at her face while squeezing his hand tighter. “I wish things had been different.”
“So do I. Every day.”
“Why now?”
“She can’t control me now. Can’t make me hurt you. She used to tell me that if you ever came for me, she would make me break you in all the worst ways imaginable. I lived in fear you would come and I’d be forced to destroy you.”
“I don’t believe you would have. You would have fought. Even if you didn’t stop her, I don’t think you could have done what she wanted you to do.”
“Aye, I would have fought. Doesn’t mean I would have succeeded. I wanted to walk away from her every damned day. But I couldn’t go further than my glen without her punishing me. She reluctantly let me have that until you came for me, then burned it to the ground that day. That was shortly after promising to allow Lonny and Toryn to visit me.”
“Lonny?”
He chuckled. “Elondril. Sorry. I forget you probably haven’t seen him since.”
“Only a couple times.”
Scotty sighed. “He knew you were here too?”
“I begged them to keep my secret. I didn’t want you to feel any obligation to me.”
“I wanted you safe. I was afraid to search you out. You must hate me.”
“Never could hate you, Endi—Scotty.” She looked over. “Do you prefer Scotty?”
“I do. May be selfish of me, but I love to hear it on your lips.”
“I thought maybe you forgot, or it wasn’t as special between us as I used to believe.”
“Very special. Every last one of my happy memories involves you. I didn’t enjoy my time with Saressa. I endured. In the end, after being with you, I nearly didn’t survive. I’d given up.”
“Don’t give up, Scotty. I’m willing to see where this goes. Bond or no bond. You’re free of Saressa.”
He almost admitted their bond was whole now. No dumbfuck. If she thinks it’s purely metaphysical she may choose to leave. Biting his tongue, he nodded at her front door. “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
“I just need to grab a few things.”
* * * *
Jayde rushed through her house and stuffed outfits for a couple different situations, and some basic toiletries, into her bag. She thought about snagging her helmet and following Scotty, as planned, but he’d broken down nearly every barrier she’d erected with his admission.
Part of her assumed the bond meant he actually loved Saressa, regardless of what he felt for her. If what Isa said was true, it wasn’t a real bond, which would leave him conflicted. His reasons for going back to the bitch made more sense, though she hated it. He spent over a hundred years fighting against the urge to run back to a woman he despised.
Spending the night with him would answer so many questions. Answers she needed. With her mind made up, she zipped the duffle bag and hurried out the door.
His head tipped to the side, and one corner of his mouth pulled up as she climbed back into the passenger seat, tossing her bag in the backseat. “Thought you were following me?”
“Would you prefer that?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to push you. You set the limits, whatever they are.”
“And if I want no limits?”
His breath exploded out as he shifted in his seat. She didn’t miss the bulge in his pants. “I’ll never resist you again if you want me. If you change your mind, even if it kills me, I’ll walk away. But the moment you call me back, I’ll be there. I’m yours to command. I need to be with you, even if it’s only next to you.”
A tear fell down her face and he reached out to wipe it away. She caught his
palm and turned her head to press a kiss.
“Take me home. Let’s get to know each other again. I’m not the same young girl who fell head-over-heels for the sweet talking nymph.”
“I’m not the stupid man who let you go.”
“Drive, Scotty.”
He dropped his hand to her lap and entwined their fingers as he started the drive to the cabin. A thrill of excitement twisted through her as she relaxed into the seat. His fingers ran back and forth across her thigh.
She fought to sit still and not redirect those talented fingers higher. No one since, and no one before Endiscott, ever made her feel so wanton.
He glanced over and sucked in a breath. “Your desire is going to kill me, Jayde. It’s filling the space between us.”
“Relieve me then,” she whispered. She knew their conversation would turn to sex, and as much as she wanted to be cautious and deny him, her bond wouldn’t allow it if he was willing.
He released her hand, caressing up her thigh. His fingers rubbed over her, the friction on her clit making her head fall back on a sigh.
“Wait, you’re driving,” she protested, then moaned as he pressed harder, swirling his finger in a tight circle exactly where she needed.
“I can do both.” He groaned, glancing over and licking his lips. “So close, Jayde. Fall off the edge.”
Not like she was far from there as it was. His eyes went to the road as he moved his hand to undo her pants. Warm fingers slid down her skin, one thick digit splitting her heat to touch her sensitive pearl.
She couldn’t resist pressing into his hand as he fingered her. A moan left her lips and he asserted, “Should have stayed at your place.”
“Need you,” she whispered. “Oh please, please, please.”
He dipped one finger into her, his palm sliding over her clit, and the world went up in sparks as orgasm took her. He stroked firm and slow, drawing out her pleasure until she stilled.
She mourned the loss of his touch when Endiscott pulled his hand from her pants.
Changing Destiny Page 13
